Kirk takes shot at health care legislation

Senate candidate says if elected, he would work to repeal any bill that might be approved

March 17, 2010|By John Chase, Tribune Reporter

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk says that if voters choose him this fall, he'll lead the effort to repeal the health care bill should it become law.

The five-term North Shore congressman argues that tax increases and Medicaid cuts would come first under the legislation and that citizens wouldn't see any benefits until 2014.

"All of the pain of the bill is upfront, and all of the gain is later," Kirk said, according to an audio recording the Tribune obtained of a GOP event in Winnetka on Friday. "If we move to repeal this bill in 2013, all you're doing is removing the pain and not a single American would have benefited from it yet. And so, as your senator, I would lead the effort, if it passes, to repeal this bill."

Kirk, who spent a decade building a reputation as a moderate on social issues, is running against Democratic Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias for the U.S. Senate seat once held by President Barack Obama.

In winning the Republican nomination, Kirk attempted to appeal to conservatives on several issues, including backing off his vote in favor of cap-and-trade legislation. Kirk and Giannoulias are competing in a state where voters for years have favored Democrats in statewide elections.

Kirk also criticized Obama in his talk at the New Trier GOP Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, saying Republicans are "on the way to making this guy a one-termer."

Giannoulias issued a statement criticizing Kirk for his "disrespectful remarks" about Obama, who overwhelmingly won his home state of Illinois in the 2008 presidential election.

Democrats argue that people will see immediate benefits through the controversial health care bill that's under debate in the House, including increased transparency from insurers.

Kirk spokesman Eric Elk said the congressman's remarks "reflect the concerns of many Americans that the current health care bill would chart an unsustainable fiscal course for our country resulting in higher debt, more taxes and fewer jobs."